JD Vance says US will keep pushing to secure Greenland for Arctic defense

CINCINNATI, OHIO: Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday, January 22, that the United States will continue efforts to secure access to Greenland, citing national security and missile defense priorities. His remarks came as negotiations continue between Washington and NATO allies over a proposed framework governing US access to the Arctic island.

While details of the framework remain unclear, senior US officials have increasingly framed Greenland as central to Arctic and missile defense strategy. Danish leaders have maintained that the island’s sovereignty is not subject to negotiation.

JD Vance highlights Arctic and missile defense priorities

Vance said that the United States will “keep on trying to make sure that we secure that land mass” as he addressed questions about Greenland during remarks to reporters in Toledo, Ohio.

His comments came in response to a question about his understanding of a proposed framework agreement related to US access to Greenland.

While Vance did not outline specific terms of the framework, he emphasized the strategic importance of the Arctic to US national security. “We would need control over the Arctic in order to shoot that missile down. Our entire missile defense system depends on that Arctic security,” Vance said.

Vance framed Greenland’s significance within the broader context of missile defense and Arctic security, noting that US defense planning relies on the ability to monitor and respond to potential threats in the region.

He did not address questions about sovereignty or the role of Denmark and Greenlandic authorities in the discussions.

When asked directly about the status of negotiations, Vance said talks with NATO were progressing. “Negotiations with NATO are going fine,” he said, without providing additional details.

Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, has long been strategically important due to its location between North America and Europe.

The United States already maintains a military presence on the island under long-standing defense agreements, but recent comments from US officials suggest Washington is seeking expanded and more formalized access tied to missile defense and Arctic security concerns.

Trump says proposed framework would give US ‘total access’ to Greenland

President Donald Trump has said a framework agreement involving Greenland would give the United States “total access” to the Arctic island, describing the arrangement as permanent and cost-free for Washington.

Speaking from Davos, Switzerland, Trump said negotiations were ongoing but claimed the US would secure broad military and strategic access under the proposed deal.

Speaking to Fox Business Network, Trump said the framework would give the United States unrestricted access to Greenland with no expiration date.

“It’s really being negotiated now, the details of it. But essentially it’s total access. It’s there’s no end, there’s no time limit,” Trump said.

He added that the US would not pay for the access. “I’m not gonna have to pay anything. We’re gonna have total access to Greenland. We’re gonna have all military access that we want,” Trump said.

He added that part of his proposed “Golden Dome” missile defense system would be placed on the island, citing national and international security concerns.

White House Spokesperson Anna Kelly said in a statement that the administration believes the deal would meet US strategic goals at minimal cost.

“If this deal goes through, and President Trump is very hopeful it will, the United States will be achieving all of its strategic goals with respect to Greenland, at very little cost, forever,” Kelly said.